Friday, December 30, 2011

"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.

Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.

As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance."

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Saturday, April 09, 2011

Let us understand the fullness of the meaning of virginity. To be virginal is not only to maintain a certain type of bodily integrity, and here is where we can have a more spiritual connection to the Blessed Virgin. Most people in this world are not called to be virginal or celibate, so most people cannot identify with a purely physical virginity, which is too often defined in negative terms: a virgin is someone who does not have sexual intercourse. Spiritually seen, Mary’s virginity (and hence our attempted imitation of it) is an expression of undivided devotion to God, complete availability for the carrying out of his will, a personal consecration to God that excludes everything that is not of Him or not pleasing to Him. We honor Mary as Virgin not only because of the miracle God worked in her, but because she belonged to Him, body and soul, and that is our desire and goal, the Christian raison d’etre as well. “I am the handmaid of the Lord”—this defines Mary as virginal in the spiritual sense.

Finally, let us look to Mary as our Mother. Having arrived at this point, I would hope that we’re done with controversies, but it seems that even this point is argued. Some people—this is incredible but unfortunately true—don’t even want a Mother in Heaven. Why not? I can’t think of a single good reason. (It may be, though, that some people’s earthly mothers have been abusive or overbearing, and hence for them one mother already seems more than enough, but they shouldn’t project those unfortunate experiences all over Heaven; it’s much more rewarding to stick to the reality of God’s gracious gifts.) Certainly no harm can come to anyone from Mary, who has loved and served God all her life and who loves each of us as her own dear children, for whom she desires nothing less than eternal joy in Paradise—only good can come from such love, such fervent and compassionate intercession on our behalf.

Friday, April 08, 2011

"Everywhere there exists loneliness, the same deep need to be loved and cared for. Right in your midst there are those who suffer because they do not feel wanted or loved. They experience the anguish of having no one to call their own. This is real poverty without a doubt. We need to want to be someone for those who need us."

Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your... children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.